Hero Honda production affected due to strike

Gurgaon (Haryana), Apr 11 (UNI) Temporary workers at India's second biggest motorcycle maker Hero Honda have gone on strike, halting production at the company's Gurgaon plant.

Official sources said almost 2,000 temporary workers had struck work since 0630 hrs yesterday demanding permanent employment.

''They have demanded immediate regularisation of 1,000 workers.

Following which 100 workers be regularised every month,'' company sources said.

Among other things, the workers are also demanding salaries to be transferred in banks and employees be given ATM cards.

They are also demanding that compensatory offs be given to them, besides medical policies as per company rules.

Speaking to UNI, one of the labour contractors to the company, Ram Mehar Mann said, ''It is unfortunate that Hero Honda has been targetted by the contractual workers. We are comitted to resolve the issue as early as possible.'' Talks were on between the company's management and the contractual workers throughout the day. The sub-divisional magistrate and other government officials have also been called in to find an amicable solution to the strike.

Hero Honda, in an official statement, termed as ''irresponsible'', the behaviour of its striking employees.

''A section of workers hired by contracters, have raised demands on their contractors and have irresponsibly stopped working. The company has always been following responsible corporate practises and for an early resolution, is extending full co-operation to all the concerned parties -- the government agencies, the contracters and their workers,'' it added.

Hero Honda Motors, 26-per cent owned by Honda Motor Company, makes about 6,500 vehicles a day in the Gurgaon plant.

Last July, Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India, also in Gurgaon, witnessed a labour unrest that left several injured.

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